Black Friend
Frederick Joseph
Black Friend
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
How to Be Better about Race
by Frederick Joseph
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Frederick Joseph stands in the hallway, hearing another awkward question that makes his skin crawl. Someone asks, “What hood are you from?” but he’s just trying to survive a new school full of people who don’t get him. How will he turn these moments into lessons that change minds—and maybe even hearts?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade book offers honest reflections on the author's experiences with racism, designed to educate young readers about race and social justice. It includes perspectives from prominent activists and artists, making complex topics accessible for ages 9-12. Parents should note the book addresses sensitive issues like microaggressions and systemic racism with age-appropriate language and encourages empathy and understanding.
Why we rated Black Friend 11ME
Black Friend is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Black Friend works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Black Friend as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Black Friend explores multicultural, friendship, coming of age, and social justice — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about multicultural, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Black Soldier
John Clarke
Black Soldier
John Clarke
Negro Intellect
David H., II Horton
Negro Intellect
David H., II Horton
Brother hood
Janet McDonald
Brother hood
Janet McDonald
The friendship
Mildred D. Taylor
The friendship
Mildred D. Taylor
Young, gifted and black
Jamia Wilson
Young, gifted and black
Jamia Wilson
Prejudice and discrimination
Fred R. Holmes
Prejudice and discrimination
Fred R. Holmes
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781536217018
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Candlewick
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction